This player could be traded to by the Islanders before the start of the 2026-27 season

The New York Islanders have a few decisions to make before the 2026-27 season gets underway, and Anthony Duclair could be one of the more interesting names to watch.

General manager Mathieu Darche could decide to create some more flexibility with the roster, and moving Duclair would be one way to do that. The veteran winger signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Islanders in 2024 that carries an AAV of $3.5 million for two more years. After two inconsistent seasons, the organization could opt to give a few younger forwards a chance at the NHL and save cap space while doing it.

Duclair can still be a productive NHL player

Duclair’s $3.5 million cap hit is a pretty manageable number for a team looking for some depth scoring. Especially when compared to what some other middle-six forwards are making around the league.

Duclair can produce when he's at his best, and he has shown throughout his career that he can score 20 goals when given the right opportunity. His time with the Islanders hasn't been as consistent as they probably hoped, but that could actually make him an attractive option for another team looking for a change-of-scenery player.

For the Islanders, moving him would also open up a spot in the top nine. There are younger forwards in the organization who need more NHL opportunities, and taking Duclair out of the picture would give Darche some extra room to see what those players can do. It would also give the Islanders another $3.5 million to work with, whether that's used on another player or simply saved for later in the season.

The return probably wouldn't be anything huge. A mid-round pick could be enough to get a deal done, depending on how much interest there is around the league. But that's also why a Duclair trade makes sense.

The Islanders aren't giving up a franchise player, and they wouldn't be taking on another major contract. They're simply moving a veteran winger who hasn't quite found his place and opening the door for someone younger. Duclair can still help an NHL team. The question is whether that team should continue to be the Islanders.

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